- What Financial Advisors Can Do for Lottery Winners
Winning a substantial sum in a state lottery unquestionably can increase a person’s independence, financially and otherwise. However, going it completely alone is rarely the wisest move after drawing a winning ticket for a large prize. Few people of ordinary… read more…
- How Much Does a Divorce Cost?
Divorces are one of life’s most challenging circumstances. They can be acrimonious, emotionally draining and expensive. Legal fees for a divorce aren’t cheap, and deciding not to hire a lawyer can cost even more, given the likelihood of mishandling self-representation… read more…
- 5 Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor in a First Meeting
Getting your finances in order can be challenging, so people often turn to financial advisors. But selecting a financial advisor whose training, experience and personality fit your preferences can be a difficult task. Here are five questions you should ask in… read more…
- How to Get a Free Divorce
Divorce can be expensive as it often involves expensive legal battles. But if you don’t have a lot of money, there are both low-cost and free options. For instance, city and state bar associations can provide legal assistance even if… read more…
- Paying Off Debt vs. Saving
Paying off debts can make it difficult to save and there’s no one-size-fits-all best way to accomplish both goals. Some advice calls for paying off all debts as soon as possible and waiting until you are debt-free to try to… read more…
- Investing Pros Point to These Barriers When Implementing ESG Policies
Investments that weigh environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors have a material impact on the investment policies of a group of recently surveyed asset owners. But hurdles remain on the road toward implementing ESG policies, respondents say in the multipart… read more…
- A Guide to Financial Advisor Compensation Models
Working with a financial advisor can help you gain a better understanding of your situation and develop a plan for making the most of your money. Financial advisor services are not free, however, and it’s important to consider what fees… read more…
- What Are Income Trusts?
While the boom-bust nature of the stock market can be profitable over the long haul, seasoned investors and risk-averse workers approaching retirement may be looking for a way to get off the roller coaster. Not every investment has the same… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I’m Over Age 73. How Do I Avoid the RMD Tax Bite?
I’m over age 72. What can I do about avoiding the required minimum distribution (RMD) tax bite? I have a steady stream of other income. -Bernie Tax-deferred accounts, such as 401(k)s and traditional individual retirement accounts (IRAs), are potentially great… read more…
- Advisors, Your Next Job May Be Somewhere Unexpected
Attention, financial advisors: your next job opportunity in the finance industry could take on a new twist beyond work at a traditional advisory firm. Positions are increasingly available at banks and trust departments as executives look to expand their roster… read more…
- How Long Does Alimony Last?
Divorce is obviously a difficult chapter in anyone’s life. In addition to sorting out personal matters, dealing with the financial fallout of divorce is often messy. Whether you are paying alimony or receiving alimony, understanding how long alimony lasts is… read more…
- How the 529 Grandparent Loophole Works
A 529 plan can be a powerful way to save for college, offering tax-free growth and other tax benefits. These accounts are so powerful, in fact, that many grandparents choose to open them for their grandchildren. In the past, there… read more…
- What Is Alimony: Financial Guide for Divorce
Alimony is a court-ordered sum that one former spouse must pay to another due to a separation or divorce agreement. You might sometimes hear about spousal maintenance or spousal support, which are other terms for alimony. This typically happens when… read more…
- Why Cash Isn’t Trash: Here’s How Fund Managers Are Beating the Market
Actively-managed mutual funds are having their best year since 2009, according to an analysis from Goldman Sachs, which found many active funds decisively beating their benchmarks and, in many cases, the overall market. What’s the secret-sauce these super-savvy fund managers… read more…
- Can You Use Real Estate to Hedge Against Inflation?
Inflation can have a negative impact on normal household spending, from gas to groceries and beyond. This is why many people seek opportunities to hedge their wallets and portfolios against rising inflation as it starts to negatively impact the money.… read more…
- Passive Income vs. Residual Income
Passive income and residual income are two types of personal revenue that separately or together can have a sizable effect on an individual’s financial comfort and ability to reach financial goals. Passive income is money earned without significant ongoing active… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: Should I Stop Reinvesting Dividends?
Is there a point at which I should stop reinvesting stock dividends and invest the money or save the cash? -Anonymous Many financial experts recommend that you reinvest dividends most of the time – and I’m inclined to agree. The… read more…
- 12 Topics Advisors Should Discuss With Clients During Market Volatility
Periods of market volatility can be distressing to clients. Savvy financial advisors know, however, that unsettling market conditions present an opportunity to touch base with clients and demonstrate value. Here are 12 topics Vanguard says advisors can discuss with clients… read more…
- Vanguard Says There’s a 65% Chance of a Recession – Here’s What to Do
Analysts at the mutual fund giant Vanguard estimate the likelihood that the U.S. will drop into a full-blown recession sometime during the next 12 months at 25%, and some time during the next 24 months at 65%. The Vanguard analysts… read more…
- How to Check a Financial Advisor’s Credentials
Looking for qualified financial advisors is easier in today’s world than it has been in the past. Of course, you still have to vet candidates to make sure that you are getting the right guidance for your financial needs. Many… read more…
- What States Are Paying a Fourth Stimulus Check?
There likely won’t be another stimulus check from the federal government coming anytime soon. But a number of states have approved a fourth stimulus check for their residents — welcome news amid rampant inflation. And more states could do the… read more…
- What Is a Dependent Care Assistance Program?
A sole proprietor or self-employed person can receive some of the dependent-care benefits available to employees through cafeteria plans by setting up a Dependent Care Assistance Program. These are funded entirely by the business, unlike cafeteria plans that allow employees… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: My Kids Inherited $5 Million. How Should They Handle It?
My children have inherited $5 million of stock from their father (whose estate has not yet been dispersed after 11 months) leaving them with a 30% or so loss of value over which they have had no control. Is there… read more…
- Student Loan Forgiveness May Hit You With a Heavy Tax Bill
Depending on where they live, student borrowers may soon face an unexpected tax burden. In August, the Biden Administration made news by announcing that it would forgive up to $10,000 in student debt for most borrowers and up to $20,000… read more…
- What Percent of Your Income Should Be Saved?
From buying your first home to creating college funds for children, everyone has aspirations that depend mainly on their financial capacity. While borrowing is an option for many households, saving money keeps you debt-free and financially healthy. However, saving isn’t… read more…